Buy AirPods Max now?

[nph]

I just checked and many stores are out completely, Adorama, Costco and more.
All others have a few colors in stock or with long lead time. Amazon has a few colors with the following status:
Currently unavailable.
"We don't know when or if this item will be back in stock."

Maybe it is a logistics issue but it could also mean gen 2 is on its way. I have a pair on order but if they update I wouldn't mind getting ben 2 or a gen 1 on closeout sale!

 

[Shanghaichica]

Well Ming Chi Kuo said the second generation aren’t coming out until until the second half of 2024

https://forums.macrumors.com/threads/kuo-airpods-max-2-not-coming-until-second-half-of-2024-at-the-earliest.2379386/

 

[shoppy]

Just brought a new pair this time in green, as I sold last two pairs thinking new pair was going to come out.

Love my AirPod pro 2 and normal AirPod 3s but nothing beats the max on plane trips.

 

[martens]

I have APP2, APM, and Beats Fit Pro. The latter are my most-used, followed by APM and last APP2. The APP2 have good ANC but they tend to slip out of my ears, which is no good for workouts, mowing lawn or using snow blower. Also I'm disappointed that the volume adjustment on them is a little iffy. APM have the best sound obviously, so I use those for listening to music and occasionally movies on the big screen. The BFP are pretty great overall.

I'm also disappointed that Beats hasn't come out with any over the ear headphones for some time now. The Beats Solo Pro were pretty decent (full Spatial Audio support, ANC) but were discontinued. The Beats Studio3 are over 5 years old (micro USB charging, no transparency, no head tracking, don't turn off automatically), and they still retail for $350. They need something better between APP and APM price range.

I didn't get APM until about a year ago. When there is version 2 I'm not sure how interested I would be.

 

[jdoll021]

Just brought a new pair this time in green, as I sold last two pairs thinking new pair was going to come out.

Love my AirPod pro 2 and normal AirPod 3s but nothing beats the max on plane trips.

How do the APP2s compare to the AirPod 3s? I like what the APP2 has to offer but I don’t like how their predecessors (APP1) fit in my ears. I take it that hasn’t changed?

The AirPod 3 looks more like the wired EarPods which feel way better in my ears, but if the bass sucks, the no thank you.

 

[curdy]

I find the bass on the AirPods 3 actually pretty good for non noise cancelling earphones.

 

[jdoll021]

I find the bass on the AirPods 3 actually pretty good for non noise cancelling earphones.

Can you give me an example? Like, can you hear the lows in, say, Gorillaz Sound Check or White Flag? I can live without ANC if it’s just for workouts and meetings since I plan to get APM’s also.

 

[shoppy]

I a, abroad currently and only have the maxs whith me but when I get home I will give it a try with said track.

 

[martens]

The APP2 have good ANC but they tend to slip out of my ears, which is no good for workouts, mowing lawn or using snow blower.

I think I have found a solution for this: I got Comply (memory foam) replacement earbud tips for AirPods Pro. They are comfortable and have not shown any signs of slipping out. I will still refrain from using them with mower or blower, however.

 

[AL2TEACH]

I got Comply (memory foam) replacement earbud tips for AirPods Pro

Likewise, I think they are far better than the supplied tips. I had to use a small for one ear and a medium for the other to pass the fit test.

 

[Ryand123]

Aren't the HD 660 S open back headphones? If so, I can't imagine wanting to use them for noise cancelation.

I personally would go for the Max over the Bose and Sony models, simply because those two are made of plastic and thus prone to creaking. The aluminum and steel construction of the Max make them noise-free.

Yeah 660s's are open back. They sound better than probably any pair of wireless, noise cancelling headphones on the market. But they are strictly for home listening as they leak a ton of sound and let in a ton of sound. The more comparable pair of Sennheiser's to Airpods or Sony XM's are the Momentum 4's.

 

[nph]

I just checked and Best Buy has a sale of $449 which is the lowest i have seen from them so far. In addition most stores now can't deliver several colors (especially my favorite )Sky blue until mid March and same goes for Apple. Seems to me they are gearing up for an update. Can't see them have such delays with supply all of a sudden for an established product. I really hope Sky Blue survives as a color.Have been waiting 4 weeks for Adorama to deliver and they also show mid March now.
Actually blue might be the only color to remain of existing palette. Amazon is only showing delivery date for the blu, mid March, the other colors they show their "don't know if and when it will get back in stock"
Too many coincidences and even Apple now show all colors available second week of March.

 

[Ryand123]

This forum consistently jumps the gun on products, thinking something new is around the corner. All the evidence seems to support there is no new AirPods Max currently in the pipeline. I predict another year.

 

[1885507]

I keep my Max at home but take my Pro (1st Gen) with me when I'm traveling. Love them both but the Max is really pure gravy.

 

[Thoradin]

If you think you’re going to need them, there’s no reason to hold back.
I’ve borrowed my wife’s a few times and they’re amazing, but I’m using a Windows desktop and a Linux laptop. So my Beats Studio 3 actually do a better job of transferring between them and my Apple devices, though I do prefer the sound of the AirPods Max by a huge margin.

 

[nph]

Problem you can’t find any blue Max right now. I have a pair on order but I am really wondering if they are coming out with gen 2 or it is supply issue delaying it 2 months! I order mid January and latest Ed time for delivery is mid March, across all retailers as well as Apple store.

 

[Hatchy87]

I just checked and Best Buy has a sale of $449 which is the lowest i have seen from them so far. In addition most stores now can't deliver several colors (especially my favorite )Sky blue until mid March and same goes for Apple. Seems to me they are gearing up for an update. Can't see them have such delays with supply all of a sudden for an established product. I really hope Sky Blue survives as a color.Have been waiting 4 weeks for Adorama to deliver and they also show mid March now.
Actually blue might be the only color to remain of existing palette. Amazon is only showing delivery date for the blu, mid March, the other colors they show their "don't know if and when it will get back in stock"
Too many coincidences and even Apple now show all colors available second week of March.

Amazon canada had all colours 10% off over last couple days. All colours had been available with short shipping times. Also keep in mind, apple has to keep a lot on hand for express replacement for apple care, as we know these things are great but probably had more issues than apple had originally planned, so they would have to keep literally thousands of pairs of blue on hold for replacements because I just reported my issue to apple and had my new pair in 2 days.

 

[norbinhouston]

Is there a shortage of APMs? Or are new ones about to drop?

 

[nph]

So today Adorama removed the estimated delivery date of March 13. I talked to them last week and they said they finally got a date for their order and I was far enough in the queue to get a pair. Today when I called them they say they are back to waiting for delivery date. Only Best Buy seem to have some stock and they are usually the ones to sell off existing stock.
I definitely think there is a big chance for an update. Let’s see if any announce this or next week!

 

[GMShadow]

A lot of Apple products have been having supply issues, not just the APMs, and there's no plans for a quick MBP or MBA update. I wouldn't get your hopes up.

 

[nph]

Rumors are now that there might be a product announcement for iPhone 14 with a new color. Would be convenient to add colors to the Max as well at the same time. We will see next week.

 

[kyriostrife]

Just some advice get the AppleCare it’s cheap insurance. Bought my blue ones from Amazon in November and use them for teams meeting and music, best headphones I have ever had.

Originally I didn't want the APMax but after losing my APP1, I'm considering them now. Main thing I need them for is ANC for traveling and the mic for calls/zoom. So I would use them a lot.

I would wear mine in the gym but it sounds like that's not ideal.

Are you happy with the mic quality?

 

[martens]

At least for my workouts, Max would not work well at all. Maybe okay for stationary bike or walking.

Beats Fit Pro are much better (than even APP2): they won't shift around when you move, and have excellent ANC.

 

[Shanghaichica]

If you think you’re going to need them, there’s no reason to hold back.
I’ve borrowed my wife’s a few times and they’re amazing, but I’m using a Windows desktop and a Linux laptop. So my Beats Studio 3 actually do a better job of transferring between them and my Apple devices, though I do prefer the sound of the AirPods Max by a huge margin.

I use a windows laptop for work. I use my AirPods Max wired when I‘m on zoom calls.

 

[kyriostrife]

At least for my workouts, Max would not work well at all. Maybe okay for stationary bike or walking.

Beats Fit Pro are much better (than even APP2): they won't shift around when you move, and have excellent ANC.

Good to know. How is the mic quality?